The Fire-Eaters facts for kids
First edition
|
|
| Author | David Almond |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's |
| Publisher | Hodder Children's Books |
|
Publication date
|
14 August 2003 |
| Pages | 224 pp |
| ISBN | 978-0-375-85751-5 |
| OCLC | 52324974 |
The Fire-Eaters is a children's novel by David Almond, published in 2003.
Plot introduction
The novel is set in 1962, before and during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Bobby Burns, who lives in the quiet coal-mining village of Keely Bay in Northumberland, has had a wonderful summer. But in autumn his father falls mysteriously ill, and he loathes his new school which is pervaded by bullying. Perhaps worst of all, Bobby is worried there will be a nuclear war.
Bobby's wonder-working friend Ailsa Spink and McNulty the crazy fire-eater open Bobby's eyes to the possibility of miracles.
Main characters
- Robert 'Bobby' Burns
- Mum
- Dad
- Joseph Connor
- Ailsa Spink
- McNulty, a fire-eater
- Daniel Gower, a school friend of Bobby's
- Mr Todd
- Miss Bute
Awards and nominations
The Fire-Eaters won the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize Gold Award and the Whitbread Children's Book of the Year Award, as well as being shortlisted for both the Guardian Award and the Carnegie Medal.
